Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are a top resource for college-bound artists and writers, but we’re not the only scholarship program out there. There’s a ton of opportunities available if you have a little time and an Internet connection, plus more specialized ones if you’re tall, if you’re a vegetarian or if you speak fluent Klingon. Even your duck calling talents can help you win financial aid for school! Each year, millions of dollars in financial aid goes unused. Here’s a list of some unique college scholarships. Stay tuned for tips on how to identify new opportunities and helpful resources.

Top Picks of Fun and Unusual Scholarships1. The Chick & Sohpie Memorial Scholarship Duck Calling contests award over $4,000 in scholarships to high school seniors who can demonstrate the four major duck calls in 90 seconds (as ordained by the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest).

3. The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship rewards vegetarians who have demonstrated courage and compassion in the face of carnivorous oppression…or something. Two $5,000 scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who are committed to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian lifestyle.

5. Two out-of-this world scholarships caught our eye: writers who participate in our science fiction and fantasy category and artists with a flare for the fantastic should take a look at the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest. For Star Trek fans with an interest in linguistics, the Kor Memorial Scholarship recognizes and encourages scholarship in fields of language study (knowledge of Klingon helpful but not required).

6. The American Sheep Industry Association sponsors the National Make it Yourself with Wool Competition – with cash awards for works of art produced with wool. To learn about this year’s winners, click here.

And don’t forget to take a look at more strange and unusual scholarships here. Remember, being unique doesn’t only make you special…it can also make you eligible for financial aid for college!